Major Exeter road to undergo work as part of countywide scheme

Exeter Today understands that overnight maintenance is planned on a major Exeter route as part of a Devon-wide road improvement programme.

Devon County Council confirmed that work will take place at Exeter’s Exe Bridges, one of the city’s most historic crossings over the River Exe, to help extend the life of the road surface by sealing joints and cracks to prevent water and frost damage.

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A spokesperson for the council said:  “No date has been set for this work at Exe Bridges as yet. As part of a Devon-wide programme, this scheme will seal joints and cracks in the road surface to prevent water and freeze-thaw damage, which extends the life of the road. It's estimated that work would take between three and five nights using lane closures.”

Exe Bridges has been rebuilt multiple times over the centuries, with five known permanent bridges recorded since the Middle Ages. The first stone bridge was completed around 1238 by Nicholas and Walter Gervaise, believed to be one of the earliest stone bridges in England.

The current twin concrete bridges, opened between 1969 and 1972, replaced earlier cast-iron and Georgian structures that had struggled with flooding and heavy traffic. Today, the junction remains one of Exeter’s busiest routes in and out of the city.

No official date has yet been set for the upcoming maintenance, but once confirmed, work will be carried out overnight to reduce disruption for drivers.